NATIONAL VIDEO

Braves won't sweeten the pot to get Peavey

ATLANTA — Frank Wren says the Atlanta Braves won’t sweeten their offer to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy, forcing the team to look elsewhere in its search for pitching help.

"We felt that we offered a strong package of players, and if we couldn’t get a deal done with the players offered we would move on to pursue other players," the Braves general manager said Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

"We are not going to risk our long-term ability to compete for championships."

Wren said he can’t continue to wait for a Peavy trade.

"We are always open to making our club better, but we have moved on and shifted our focus," Wren said.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers told the San Diego Union-Tribune his team has had "advanced" talks with the Braves and the Chicago Cubs, adding those "are Jake’s priority teams."

"But at this point in time, I do not see a potential deal with either club," Towers said.

Peavy, the 2007 NL Cy Young winner, has a no-trade clause in his contract with the Padres. His agent, Barry Axelrod, has said the right-hander would prefer to remain in the National League. Axelrod said Peavy likely would approve moves to the Braves, Cubs, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals.

Peavy was 10-11 with a 2.85 ERA this season. He was on the disabled list from May 15 to June 12 with a strained right elbow. He was 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 2007.

Wren has said he won’t trade his top prospects. He didn’t reveal the players he included in his offer to the Padres.

Two of the Braves’ top prospects, pitcher Tommy Hanson and catcher Tyler Flowers, have boosted their standing with their play in the Arizona Fall League.

Other top prospects in the organization include outfielders Jason Heyward, Jordan Schafer and Gorkys Hernandez.

Wren said the Braves can’t count on right-hander Tim Hudson next season. Hudson had elbow ligament-replacement surgery on Aug. 7.

John Smoltz and Tom Glavine had season-ending shoulder and elbow surgeries, respectively, and their status for 2009 remains uncertain. Meanwhile, left-hander Mike Hampton is a free agent.